Residency

Residency for Tuition Purposes

The University of Montevallo’s Residency Guidelines are based on Alabama Code 16-64 regarding residency practices for tuition purposes at all public institutions of higher education within the state. Any student attending the University of Montevallo that lives in Alabama for the primary purpose of obtaining an education will be considered a “non-resident student” for tuition purposes. Initial determination of a student’s residency classification is made by the Admissions Office for undergraduate students, and by Graduate Admissions and Records for graduate students. A student’s residency classification will remain unchanged throughout their education at the University of Montevallo unless compelling and satisfactory evidence is provided indicating that the student’s reason(s) for coming to and remaining in the state has changed.

Definitions

A “resident student”is one who meets all of the following criteria:

has a specific permanent physical address or location within the State of Alabama;

has the intent to remain at this address indefinitely;

possesses more substantial connections with the State of Alabama than with any other state;

is not a minor; however, a student who is a minor at the time of registration may obtain reclassification based on the evidence provided by the supporting person(s) confirming that he/she meets the above criteria.

A “minor” under Alabama law is a single individual under the age of 19 and a married individual under the age of 18, but excludes an individual whose disabilities of non-age have been removed by a course of competent jurisdiction for a reason other than establishing a legal residence in Alabama.

A “supporting person” is either or both of the parents of the student if the parents are living together. If the parents are divorced or living separately, then either the parent having legal custody or, if different, the parent providing the greater amount of financial support. If both parents are deceased or if neither has legal custody, supporting person shall mean, in the following order: the legal custodian of the student, the guardian, and the conservator.

A“veteran”is a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable, as specified in 38 U.S.C. 101(2). Active service includes full-time duty in the National Guard or a Reserve component, other than full-time duty for training purposes.

Establishing Residency

A student that is not a minor will be classified as a resident if s/he meets any of the following criteria:

Is a resident of the state of Alabama as defined in Sec. I: Definitions;

Is a full-time employee (not temporary) of the University of Montevallo or is the spouse of such an employee;

Is able to verify full-time permanent employment within the state of Alabama and shall commence said employment not more than ninety (90) days of registration with the institution, or is the spouse of such an employee;

Is an accredited member, or spouse thereof, of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama;

Is a member or the spouse of a member of the United States military on fulltime active duty stationed in Alabama under orders other than attending school;

Is a member of the Alabama National Guard for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the student qualifying for resident tuition and continues to be a member of the Alabama National Guard while enrolled at the public institution of higher education;

Is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, provided that the veteran has become a resident of Alabama (as demonstrated by the establishment of an Alabama residence and possession of an identification card issued by the state of Alabama) and satisfies at least one of the following conditions:

The veteran has served on active duty for a continuous period of time, not less than two years, and has received an honorable discharge as verified by a United States Department of Defense Form 214 within five years of enrolling in an Alabama public institution of higher education;

Has been a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the student qualifying for resident tuition and continues to be an active drilling member of their respective Reserve Unit while enrolled at the public institution of higher education;

The veteran has been assigned a service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.

A student that is a minor will be classified as a resident if their supporting person(s) meets any of the following criteria:

Is a resident of the state of Alabama as defined in Sec. I: Definitions;

Is a full-time employee (not temporary) of the University of Montevallo;

Is able to verify full-time permanent employment within the state of Alabama and shall commence said employment not more than ninety (90) days of registration with the institution;

Is an accredited member of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama;

Is a member of the United States military on fulltime active duty stationed in Alabama under orders other than attending school.

Evaluation of Connections to Alabama:

In determining residency as defined above, the University of Montevallo will consider the absence and/or presence of significant connections to the State of Alabama, including but not limited to:

Graduation from a high school in Alabama immediately preceding enrollment at the University of Montevallo;

Payment of Alabama state income tax as a resident;

Ownership of a residence or other real property in the state and payment of ad valorem taxes;

Continuous presence within the state for other purposes than to attend school, except for temporary absences for travel, military service, and temporary employment;

Previous periods of residency in the state continuing for one year or more;

Residence in the state of a spouse, children, or parents;

Establishment of banking services within Alabama;

Voter registration within the State of Alabama, more significantly, voter registration that occurred at least one year prior to initial enrollment;

In-state address shown on selective service registration, driver’s license, automobile title registration, hunting and fishing licenses, insurance policies, stock and bond registrations, last will and testament, annuities, or retirement plans;

Possession of state or local licenses to do business or practice a profession;

Membership in religious, professional, business, civic, or social organizations in the state.

Although the above provides examples of ties one may have to Alabama, the list is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive.

Factors which may show more connections with a state other than Alabama include, but are not limited to, the following:

A student maintains significant ties to another state;

A student begins living in Alabama shortly before or only after being admitted to attend school in the state;

A parent or other person who is not a resident of Alabama provides more than minimal or occasional financial support for tuition and living expenses;

A student receives educational or personal loans from a parent or supporting person that does not reside in Alabama.

International Students

International students may apply for residency reclassification but must have the ability to remain indefinitely in Alabama and also meet the requirements as listed in these guidelines.

Residency Application Process

Students who wish to apply for reclassification of residency status must do so by submitting the Application for Residency Reclassification to the Registrar’s Office no later than the first day of classes for the term for which residency reclassification is being requested. Applications must be notarized and submitted with a personal statement accompanied by supporting documentary evidence.

A student whose application has been denied by the Registrar’s Office may submit a written request for appeal within 30 days of the decision. A panel of three (3) University of Montevallo employees will review the application and render an opinion. The decision of this panel is final.

Registration payment deadlines cannot be extended for students whose residency applications are under review. If reclassification is approved, a non-resident tuition refund will be issued in the manner by which it was paid.